Speaker of the U.S. House Calls Raisi 'Oppressor'; White House National Security Spokesperson Defends Government's 'Condolences'

Mike Johnson, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, described Raisi's rule in Iran as 'brutal' and marked by 'terror and oppression' on May 21. At the same time, John Kirby, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, defended the Biden administration's decision to express condolences. The Republican Speaker reacted to the death of Ibrahim Raisi by stating, 'The oppression and terror during Ibrahim Raisi's presidency of the Islamic Republic were so widespread and varied that they included killing Iranian women protesting against religious laws and supporting terrorist proxies and the massacre of Israelis.' Mike Johnson also called the upcoming days for the people of Iran 'fateful' and emphasized, 'We pray for stability in the Middle East and for the Iranian leaders who seek to live in peace with their neighbors and the West, and for the day when the flag of freedom is raised in Iran.' Meanwhile, John Kirby characterized the Biden administration's decision to express condolences for Ibrahim Raisi's death as a 'normal action' regarding the death of a world leader. He also labeled Raisi as responsible for 'ruthless' human rights violations and criticized him for Tehran's support of proxy groups in the Middle East and the killing of innocent Israelis. On Monday, the Biden administration, through a statement from the U.S. Department of State, expressed 'official condolences' regarding the death of Ibrahim Raisi, Hossein Amirabdollahian, and their delegation in a helicopter crash in northwestern Iran, reiterating its support for the Iranian people and their struggle for human rights and fundamental freedoms. The interim head of the Iranian Foreign Ministry, a staunch critic of the JCPOA and head of the negotiating team for its revival, stated that Raisi's death could accelerate change in Iran. The 'Campaign for Human Rights in Iran' warned that the international community should not allow Raisi's death to lead to increased repression. The Iran Human Rights Organization stated that Raisi's death does not close the file on his 'crimes.'